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Royal Hobby's, or the Hertfordshire cock-horse!

Object type

Museum number

1868,0808.8432

Title (object)

Royal Hobby's, or the Hertfordshire cock-horse!

Description

The Regent rides (left to right) a velocipede (see No. 13399) with a low curved bar or pole on which he lies prone, his chin resting on a pad where the pole curves upwards over the front wheel, his legs extended on each side of the back wheel. Above the back wheel three ostrich feathers project from the pole, giving the contour of man and machine some resemblance to that of a cock. His paunch fits the bar, and is strapped to it by a girth. He steers by bars projecting from the hub of the front wheel, above which is a crown. Lady Hertford, fat and décolletée and wearing a coronet (or crown), bestrides his back, flourishing a knotted whip with a sceptre for handle. A garter inscribed 'Ich Dien' floats round her much-exposed knee, and from her neck hangs the jewel of the George. She holds reins inscribed 'Hertford Leading String' attached to the Regent's mouth and digs spurs into him, exclaiming: "G up! G O!—Oh! dear!! this is a delightful way of Riding!!!" The Regent: "Aye, aye, it may be very delightful to you; but it is devilish hard work for me!—my legs feel so tired I don't think I shall be able to stand for a month to come: Oh! my back!! Oh o o ..." Behind (left) is a sign-post pointing to the right 'To the Horns, Inn. Hertford'. On the ground is a paper: 'Push along keep Moving—an old Song to a new tune' [cf. No. 9010, &c.].Behind, and on a smaller scale, the Duke of York (right) rides a velocipede in the opposite direction, near a sign-post pointing 'To Windsor'. He wears field marshal's uniform, with plumed cocked hat, his right arm in a sling; he is erect with his left hand on the steering bar. He says: "Although my Hobby is one of 10,000 yet I had a tumble so I wod advise you both to mind what you are about."1819Hand-coloured etching

Dimensions

Inscriptions

Inscription Content

Curator's comments

(Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', IX, 1949)For the Regent and Lady Hertford on a velocipede cf. No. 13213, &c. The Duke alludes ostensibly to his recent accident, see No. 13226, &c, actually to the Clarke scandal, see No. 11216, &c, which caused his resignation from the office of C.-in-C. (cf. No. 11724). For the grant of £10,000 see No. 13214, &c. The manner resembles that of Marks, see No. 13221.Reid, No. 886. Cohn, No. 1921. The plate was suppressed, according to Layard, p. 75.